By Mike Peek

Answer: The Eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour's wealth or outward estate. Dear neighbor, The Lord God sees all and knows all. It is therefore prudent for a follower of Jesus Christ to be concerned, not for ones needs only but the needs of other people also.  Yesterday, Darlene and I were traveling and we stopped at a certain place to eat lunch. A man whom we do not know came up to us in the parking lot asking money for some ministry. He claimed to be a follower of Jesus Christ but the man spoke so fast and his only concern was getting what he called donations. I did not give him any money because I did not believe it wise. It is prudent that a follower of Jesus Christ should not do anything that hinders our own wealth. I work very hard taking care of my neighbor in the intensive care unit. It is my job which God gave to me me that I may provide for my own needs and the needs of my household. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:8) I shall not do...

Answer: The Eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. Dear Neighbor, The Lord Jesus Christ said to love God with your whole self and love your neighbor as yourself (cf. Mt. 22:37-39) The apostle paul wrote in Romans 13:8-10, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” The commandment requires the hearer to actively seek the best for ourselves and our neighbor. And one should not seek the best for themselves at the expense of his neighbor. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than y...

Answer: The Eighth Commandment is, "thou shalt not steal." Dear Neighbor, The Eight Commandment was first spoken to Israel, by the mouth of God from heaven, at Mount Sinai in the desert, also called Horeb, and written for us in Exodus 20:15.  The Eight Commandment was repeated by Moses in the land of Moab during a sermon that Moses delivered to Israel before his death, and before Israel crossed the Jordan river into the land of Canaan. There Moses expounded the law of God to Israel. Therefore, the Eighth Commandment is recorded for our reading a second time in Deuteronomy 5:19. Deuteronomy means second law, but it is not a second law, it is an expounding of the law for the children of the descendants of Israel, who were saved by God from slavery in Egypt.  The next two questions explain what is required and what is forbidden in the eight commandment. I shall explore how the commandment should be understood in the lives of Christ followers today. Michael Peek Your Servant for ...

Dear Neighbor, Each of us suffer in some way and some suffer greater than others. Sin, suffering and death seemingly rule the lives of believers and unbelievers alike; for no man is without sin, without suffering and all die. Some sin more than others but all sin, some suffer more than other but all suffer, and everyone dies. The difference between a believer in Jesus Christ and an unbeliever is hope. The apostle Paul wrote: “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Rom. 8:24) The believer waits eagerly for the redemption of our bodies, which is our adoption as sons. The believer is spiritually redeemed but not yet physically redeemed. We have been given the first fruits of the Spirit but we groan within ourselves, waiting for the redemption of our bodies. (Rom. 8:23) The Christian hope is not a platonic disembodied existence floating on t...

Answer: The Seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. Dear Neighbor, Temptation comes from three sources: Satan, the world and the flesh. Temptation is being carried away and enticed by ones own lust. (Jam. 1:14) Lust is threefold: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. (1 Jn. 2:16) When lust has been conceived in a persons heart, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (Jam. 1:15)  The apostle Paul wrote to flee immorality. (1 Co. 1:18) For this reason, Jesus said, when speaking about adultery in the heart: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Mt. 5:29-3...

Answer: The Seventh Commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chasity, in heart, speech, and behaviour. Dear Neighbor, The seventh commandment goes beyond the physical act of intercourse. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt. 5:27-28)  Jesus was speaking to men whose society was patriarchal but his words are applicable to women as well. It is not enough to maintain physical purity. One must be perfect in every thought, word and deed. Jesus said, “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) God created man and woman as unique biological persons designed to complete one other. In the beginning God instituted marriage between one male and one female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, human beings should ...

Question 70: Which is the Seventh Commandment? Answer: The Seventh Commandment is, "thou shalt not commit adultery.” Dear Neighbor, The commandment was first spoken by God, to Israel at Mount Sinai in the dessert. Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. And was repeated by Moses in the second law, Deuteronomy 5:18 You shall not commit adultery. However, its roots, like all the law are from the beginning. Jesus went to the first two chapters of Genesis when discussing marriage.  God created man and woman as unique biological persons designed to complete one other. In the beginning God instituted marriage between one male and one female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. Therefore, human beings should not alter or negate what God created, designed and instituted. (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9) Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Question 69: What is forbidden in the Sixth Commandment? Answer: The Sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. Dear Neighbor, It is evident that the commandment forbids suicide and murder but I think that an additional question should be asked because in the text of their answer, the Westminster Puritans gave the answer to an additional question.  Does the commandment forbid capital punishment? The answer is no, it does not forbid capital punishment. If it did, the giving of the sixth commandment would have ablated in the commandment that the Lord God gave to Noah, Genesis 9.6: Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. After giving the ten commandments that Lord God said to Moses, Exodus 21.12-14: He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, t...

Question 68: What is required in the Sixth Commandment? Answer: The Sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. Dear Neighbor, The great commandment in the law is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mt. 22:37-39) The sixth command makes the meaning of the second great commandment apparent. Psalms 82:3-4 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Ephesians 5:28-30 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. To think of other people as oneself requires godly love. One should love oneself and other people equally. I confess that this is di...

Dear Neighbor, Which is the Sixth Commandment? Answer: The Sixth Commandment is, "thou shalt not kill." The text of the Sixth Commandment is written in Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.” However, it goes much further back in biblical history, for the Lord said to Noah in Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.”  The next two questions speak to what is required and forbidden in the Sixth Commandment. I look forward to exploring how the Sixth Commandment should be understood in the Christian life. Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor, What advice do I have for fathers on this Lord’s day? The apostle Paul wrote to children: “Be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” (Col. 3:20) But to fathers he wrote: “Do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” (Col. 3:21) This same content is repeated in Ephesians 6:1-4: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This past week I wrote about questions 63-66 of the shorter catechism. This just so happened to precede fathers day, just like in Paul’s letters, his word to children preceded his word to fathers. Therefore today I would like to speak to fathers. When the apostle Paul wrote these letters it was unanimous among both...

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”  ~ John 8:34-36 Dear Neighbor, Earlier this week, the federal government of the U.S.A. enacted into law, June 19th as a federal holiday. I grew up in the state of Texas but I did not understand Juneteenth. I knew it to be a celebration that African Americans in our community held but I did not understand the purpose. Later I learned that Juneteenth was a celebration of the freedom of African descendants who were held in slavery. Juneteenth was first celebrated in Galveston Texas after General Gordan Granger read the general order: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and...

Question 66: What is the reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment? Answer: The reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment. Dear Neighbor, In Ephesians 6:1-3, the apostle Paul exhorts the children of the church to obey their parents in the Lord because it is right. Then he invokes the fifth commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” He explains in this brief exhortation to the children of the church, it is a commandment for their good, because attached to this commandment is a promise of long life on the earth. In their letters to the churches, the apostles Peter and Paul exhort all believers to submit to whatever authority has been put over them. Some of the authorities mentioned in their letters are fathers, husbands, masters, governors, and kings. The ultimate a...

“Question 65: What is the forbidden in the Fifth Commandment? Answer: The Fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations.” Dear Neighbor, The great commandment, Matthew 22:36-40 is the bases for the whole Law and the Prophets: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” The Ten commandments are subcategories of the great and second commandments. The fifth commandment deals with the category of human authority and the beginning authority in everyone’s life is their parents.  The apostle Paul wrote: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities...

Dear Neighbor, The Westminster Puritans asked in their shorter catechism: “What is required in the Fifth Commandment?” Answer: “The Fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.” The proof text given for this answer is Ephesians 6:2-3 “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.” The apostle is stating and applying the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) in a letter to Christians; therefore, the fifth commandment is applicable in the lives of all Christians throughout all of time. Adding to the proof text Ephesians 6:1, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” There are four reasons given that children should honor their parents. First, it is the right thing to do. Second, it is commanded in the word of God. Third, it is in the be...

Dear Neighbor, Question 63: Which is the Fifth Commandment? Answer: The Fifth Commandment is, "honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." The fithth commandment is recorded for us in Exodus 20:12 (NASB) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” I find it interesting that in my writing about the shorter catechism, that this commandment should come during the week proceeding Father’s Day. The next three questions ask what is required in the commandment, what is forbidden in the commandment and what is annexed to the commandment. I am looking forward to thinking about the implication of this commandment for the Christian in the new covenant, as it was mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ, and the apostle Paul in his letters to the churches. Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ sake

Dear Neighbor, Question 62:  What are the reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment? Answer:  The reasons annexed to the Fourth Commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, His challenging a special propriety in the seventh, His own example, and His blessing the Sabbath-day. All of the proof text for this answer come from the Old Testament, and are, therefore, proof text for the Old Covenant.  Exodus 31:15-16 For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death. So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’ Leviticus 23:3 ‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. Exodus 31:17 It is a si...

“The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” ~Luke 18:27 Dear Neighbor, I am always amazed how God brings me to the right text of scripture, at just the right time. One week ago I read the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Mark’s gospel and today I read the same in Luke’s gospel. In both stories Jesus uses the Ten Commandments to bring the knowledge of sin and closes the mouth. The rich young ruler’s sin was covetousness. Salvation is not possible with people but is possible with God. God has given us a tool by which we might show people their need for salvation and that tool is the Ten Commandments. In Romans 3, the apostle Paul asked, If both Jew and Gentile are guilty, “then what advantage has the Jew?” The answer is that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. In Romans 3:19-20, he wrote: Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; beca...

Dear Neighbor, The Westminster Puritans asked in the shorter catechism: What is forbidden in the Fourth Commandment? The answer that they gave:  The Fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. The proof text given for this answer (Mal. 1:13, Ez. 23:38, Isa. 58:13) all speak of defilement of the sanctuary of the Lord and profaning the Sabbath Day. Using these Old Testament text alone, one would conclude, what the Westminster Puritans concluded about the Sabbath Day; however, what is ignored in the answer is of much importance. The sanctuary of the Lord is not our church buildings. The Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. The sanctuary of the Lord is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn. 2:19)...

Dear Neighbor, The Westminster Puritans asked in Question 60 of the Shorter Catechism:  How is the Sabbath to be sanctified? They answer that they gave:  The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. I should tell you that I have disagreement with the Westminster Puritans regarding this answer. If the question was asked in regards to the Mosaic or Sinaic covenant alone, then I would say that they answered correctly. But the question is asked of a Christian, and of Sunday, because the 59th question and answer declared the Sabbath day changed from the last day of the week to the first day of the week. The truth is, at no time in the New testament, is the New Covenant Christian commanded to keep the Sabbath. In fact, Jesus defended...

Dear Neighbor, This question implies required sabbath observance; therefore, the Westminster Puritans answer the question thusly: From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath. I previously stated that at no time in the New Testament is sabbath observance commanded of the Christian. In fact, the seventh day, in many instances in the New Testament is missing. In the 19th chapter of the Gospel According to John, Jesus is left buried in a tomb on the day proceeding the sabbath, then the 20th chapter of the Gospel According to John begins on the 1st day of the week.  Genesis 2:3 speaks of God resting after His creative work on the seventh day; and therefore, God sanctified the seventh day. However, in the Gospel According to John we see a change from the storyline of Genesis. In John’s storylin...

Dear Neighbor, The Westminster Puritans answered the question thusly:  The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself. This commandment is different than the other nine, because at no time in the New Testament is the Christian commanded to keep the sabbath day. All other nine commandments are expressed in the New Testament but the keeping of the sabbath is not. What is the sabbath? The sabbath is an every seventh day rest from labor in honor of the God of Israel. The first time that the sabbath is mentioned in Scripture is Genesis 2:1-3. As God’s covenant people, He began to form their lives in the pattern of seven days. Working six days and resting on the seventh. In the Mosaic covenant, the sabbath was connected with the gathering of manna. (cf. Exodus 16)  All of scripture points to Christ, so how should the Christian understand this commandment? What...

Dear Neighbor, The fourth Commandment is given in Exodus 20:9-11, and says: Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. We will spend the remainder of this week in explanation of the fourth commandment. Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor, Many times a day, the name of the Lord is taken in vain. It is so common in our society to hear the name of God or the name of His Son taken in vain. You may not even notice the name of God or His Christ taken in vain. It is common in television shows and in movies. In fact, it rolls off the tongue without a thought, thus making the name of the Lord our God vanity.  Exodus 20:7b (NASB) The LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. This is the reason annexed to the third commandment. Though a person may take the name of the Lord our God in vain and go unpunished among men, the Lord God will not let them go unpunished. They are storying up wrath for themselves, for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5) Have you ever taken the name of the Lord your God in vain? Have you used the name of the Lord your God or the name of the Son of God in an irreverent manner? There is forgiveness of this sin against God, for a...

Dear Neighbor, Darlene and I spent this past Friday walking around the bazaars of the Canton, Texas trade days. The Canton trade days are a large flea market. The organizers tout that it is the largest flea market in the world but I do not know if that is true; nonetheless, it is very large. We really did not see anything that we wanted to purchase. It was mostly a day off from work and spending time together away from home. One of the things that we did purchase was lunch. There where many things to chose from, much of which was not very healthy, but we decided on street tacos. The shop that we selected had three choices: shredded brisket tacos, shredded chicken tacos, and bean tacos; all of the varieties were garnished with Pico de Gallo. Pico de Gallo is a mixture of peppers, onions, tomatoes and an herb called cilantro. I decided on the brisket tacos. The shop was being run by a woman and three young people, that I assumed were her children. The youngest of which was a little girl,...

Dear Neighbor, What is forbidden in the third commandment? It was the work given to the priests, to listen to the word of God, and take it to heart to give honor to His name. (Malachi 2:2) Where has God made himself known? We have two revelations.  First, the natural revelation. The apostle Paul wrote about this in Romans 1:18-23. God has revealed Himself in nature but men did not honor Him as God or give thanks but their foolish hearts were darkened. They worshiped the creation rather than the creator. They gave honor too created things but dishonored God. Second, the special revelation. God has made Himself know to man in His word. The old testament was referred to as the law and the prophets, represented by two old testament figures in the transfiguration. (Mark 9:1-13) God spoke to man in the law, God spoke to man in the prophets and in these last days, He has spoke to us through His Son. (Ephesians 2:20) In the transfiguration, the Father God told Peter, James and John to list...

Dear Neighbor, What is required in the third commandment? The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God’s: Names Titles Attributes Ordinances Word Works The third commandment requires man to give to God the glory that He deserves. God is King of Kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty and there is no other besides Him; therefore, all shall fear Him. Man should take heed to what God has commanded in His word, the Holy precepts that have come forth from the mouth of God. Men should be in awe at who God is and the things that God has done; He created heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. When men speak of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works; these should always be spoken with respect and honor do Him. Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor, Which is the third commandment? The Ten Commandments where first given to Israel by the Mouth of God from Mount Sinai in the desert. These Ten Words of God are recorded for us in Exodus 20:1-17. The preface to the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:2 (NASB) “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” The first commandment, Exodus 20:3 (NASB) “You shall have no other gods before Me.” The second commandment, Exodus 20:4-6 (NASB) “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” We have already written about what is required, what is forbidden and what ...

Dear Neighbor, What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment? Firstly, God’s sovereignty over us.  1 Timothy 6:15-16 (NASB) He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. Secondly, his propriety in us. God expects his people to bow down to Him alone because He is our Lord and He desires us. (cf. Ps. 45:11) Thirdly, God has zeal to his own worship.  Exodus 34:14 (NASB) —for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God— 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB) Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. In conclusion, the reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he has to his own worship.  Michael Peek Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake

Dear Neighbor, What is forbidden in the second commandment? Firstly, the second commandment does not address worshiping other so called gods, for the worship of other so called gods was forbidden in the first commandment. The second commandment forbids the worshiping of images (man made or otherwise) as God. In  John 4:24,  Jesus said to the Samaritan woman by the well:  “ God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  (NASB)  Idolatry is creating an image that you believe to be God and bowing down to worship that image as God. When God revealed Himself to Israel, they heard a voice but they did not see a form; therefore, they were not to create an image of anything as being God, to bow down to worship that image as God, nor worship any created thing in the universe as God. (cf. Deut. 4:15-19)  Secondly, the second commandment forbids worshiping God in anyway not appointed in His word. This has happened many times throughout ch...